Kelly settling in at point

Sophomore Colleen Kelly entered her freshmen year of college believing she could make an immediate impact. After graduating Merion Mercy High as the school's all-time leading scorer, Kelly thought she could start right away for the Penn women's basketball team. But those high expectations quickly disappeared in a season she would rather forget. Just before last season began, Kelly was diagnosed with mononucleosis, sidelining her for the Quakers' first seven games. She returned only to suffer through a sprained ankle and the flu. By season's end, Kelly had started only two games on her way to averaging 2.5 points per game. "She had such a year full of adversity that haunted her for her entire freshman season," Penn coach Julie Soriero said. "In many ways, her level of experience is that of a freshman because of last year's tribulations." At the end of last season, Soriero and Kelly met and defined her role as the team's shooting guard after playing both guard positions as a freshman. Over the summer, Kelly worked extensively at improving her skills at the two guard, where she expected to start. Everything changed when starting point guard Erica McCauley left the team five games into the season. Kelly soon found herself at the point, where she will make her eighth start running the show tonight at 5:45 p.m., against Lafayette at the Palestra. "If I had any reservations about her being the point guard, it is because she is such a good player at the two guard," Soriero said. A month and a half into the switch, Kelly is still trying to gain the point guard skills she needs to run the offense. Most importantly, she is trying to replace the poise and control McCauley lent the team on the court. "There are different types of leadership," Kelly said. "Everyone looks to the captains to keep them on their toes, but I am trying to lead on the court." Kelly had gone into the season hoping to improve as a scorer. But she quickly had to change her focus from an individual goal to what would be best for the team. "Colleen just wanted to concentrate on playing her best," Soriero said. "Then she got thrust into a whole new role where additional things were required." So far the transition has been an up-and-down experience. In Penn's last two games, Kelly went from scoring no points against Yale to almost leading the Quakers to their first win of the year by scoring 19 against Delaware. "I have to work on my ball handling and seeing the floor better," Kelly said. "I also can't always look to shoot like I would from the two guard." Soriero, however, believes Kelly must first improve her defense. Kelly has the necessary quickness and good hands to be a good defender, but too often relies on those skills instead of solid positioning. "Before the Delaware game, we broke down film of her and other point guards from around the country to compare positioning," Soriero said. "The comeback at Delaware was generated through her defensive efforts." Kelly's improvement will be a key as Penn tries to salvage what has truly been a frustrating year. The Quakers' first victory will probably be due in large part to Kelly's efforts. "Hopefully I can get the team to mesh together, and we can put two solid halves together," Kelly said. The Quakers have not given up hope in what has been an unexpected rebuilding year. In fact, Kelly has some lofty goals for an 0-12 team. "Once we get one win, our confidence will be a lot higher," Kelly said. "There is still a chance at a winning record. People can't forget that.